It became even more complicated before long. At noon of the third day Adam Sutherland arrived. Robin rode over from camp when he saw the bay team and top buggy roll into the ranch yard.
“Come up to the house,” Sutherland invited. “I got to augur with you awhile.”
They walked across the yard, Sutherland silent and thoughtful. May met them on the porch. Old Adam held her at arm’s length admiringly.
“You look like a new twenty-dollar gold piece,” he said. “The mountain air sure agrees with you.”
Color deepened on the girl’s cheeks.
“It always did,” she laughed.
“Tell ’em to have lunch ready in half an hour, an’ leave me and Tyler be for awhile,” he said. “I got to go back to town right away.”
May disappeared within. Sutherland planted himself in a wicker chair on the porch.
“Well kid,” he said bluntly, “I was a little bit previous about Mark Steele. Likewise, I’ve made other plans about you.”
Robin stiffened but said nothing, waiting only with a touch of uneasiness for what was coming. There was bound to be a fly in the ointment, he thought morosely.